Trailer Heat Zones and Their Relation to Heat Stress in Pig Transport

Machado, Nítalo André Farias; Barbosa-Filho, José A. D.; Ramalho, Geraldo Luis Bezerra; Pandorfi, Héliton; Silva, Iran José Oliveira da

doi:10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v41n4p427-437/2021

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…These findings were confirmed by Machado et al ( 117 ) in their study of 192 hogs transported for 170 km, where they recorded rectal and ocular temperatures (with a fixed distance of 0.50 m between the animal and the observer), saliva cortisol levels, respiratory rate, and lactate levels, while also comparing the influence of the upper and lower transport levels inside the vehicle. They observed that the average post-transport temperature in the animals at the upper level was higher than those below (upper = 39.9°C, lower = 38.1°C; P = 0.022).…”

Section: Infrared Thermography (Irt) As a Tool To Evaluate The Therma...supporting

confidence: 68%

Thermoregulation mechanisms and perspectives for validating thermal windows in pigs with hypothermia and hyperthermia: An overview

et al. 2022

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Specific anatomical characteristics make the porcine species especially sensitive to extreme temperature changes, predisposing them to pathologies and even death due to thermal stress. Interest in improving animal welfare and porcine productivity has led to the development of various lines of research that seek to understand the effect of certain environmental conditions on productivity and the impact of implementing strategies designed to mitigate adverse effects. The non-invasive infrared thermography technique is one of the tools most widely used to carry out these studies, based on detecting changes in microcirculation. However, evaluations using this tool require reliable thermal windows; this can be challenging because several factors can affect the sensitivity and specificity of the regions selected. This review discusses the thermal windows used with domestic pigs and the association of thermal changes in these regions with the thermoregulatory capacity of piglets and hogs.

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Section: Infrared Thermography (Irt) As a Tool To Evaluate The Therma...supporting

confidence: 68%

Thermoregulation mechanisms and perspectives for validating thermal windows in pigs with hypothermia and hyperthermia: An overview

et al. 2022

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“…Environmental conditions and trailer compartment locations can impact pig comfort and welfare. Thermal variations between trailer compartments occur because of the lack of ventilation due to trailer pressure distribution variation during transportation (Machado et al, 2021a;Machado et al, 2021b). In the current study and during morning LOD, the fore section had 1.5°C-greater ambient and delta-temperatures than the averages of the center and aft sections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…Morris et al (2021) observed similar results where the bottom decks had a greater ambient temperature and relative humidity by 2.7°C and 4.1%, respectively, during winter. (Machado et al 2021a;2021b) stated that bottom decks have greater temperatures due to thermal heat core formation resulting in a reduced heat removal rate. Generally, the trailer's top decks have favorable ventilation conditions for pigs during transportation, but Machado et al (2021a) stated that pigs transported in top decks were more susceptible to physical stress related to direct solar exposure, which could add to stress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Machado et al 2021a;2021b) stated that bottom decks have greater temperatures due to thermal heat core formation resulting in a reduced heat removal rate. Generally, the trailer's top decks have favorable ventilation conditions for pigs during transportation, but Machado et al (2021a) stated that pigs transported in top decks were more susceptible to physical stress related to direct solar exposure, which could add to stress. The authors also reported that divergent conditions experienced by pigs transported on straight-deck trailer bottom decks caused them to possess greater rectal temperature and respiratory rate than pigs transported on top decks by 0.69°C and 4.6 breaths/min, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Commercial straight-deck trailer vibration and microclimate conditions during market-weight pig transport during summer

Alambarrio¹,

Morris²,

Davis³

et al. 2022

Front. Anim. Sci.

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The objective of this study was to collect and quantify three-axis acceleration data from six locations within commercial pig transport trailers during summer. Two trucks with straight-deck trailers transporting two loads per day were observed for 5 consecutive days (N = 20). Accelerometers were placed under the floor of each trailer’s top and bottom decks (DECs) in the center of three sections (SECs): fore, middle, and aft. Data from each trailer section were processed to calculate z- and x,y-axis root mean square (RMS) values and vibration dose values (VDVs) during loading, transport, and unloading. There were no DEC × SEC interactions or SEC main effects for z-axis RMS or VDV during any transportation stage (P > 0.06). The bottom deck had a greater x,y-axis RMS than the top deck during all transportation stages (P < 0.01). The bottom deck had a greater x,y-axis VDV than the top deck during loading and transport (P < 0.03), but there was no difference (P = 0.52) during unloading. The bottom deck had a greater z-axis RMS and VDV than the top deck during loading and transport (P < 0.01), but there were no differences during unloading (P > 0.07). There were no SEC effects for x,y- and z-axis RMSs and VDVs during all transportation stages (P > 0.06). Acceleration values were compared with exposure action values (EAV; injury possible) and exposure limit values (ELV; injury likely) vibrations thresholds. Over the 5 observation days during all transport stages, a greater percentage of compartments violated both RMS and VDV thresholds in the x,y orientation (average 90%) than in the z orientation (average 76%). Overall, these data indicate that bottom decks experience greater three-axis vibrations than top decks in straight-deck trailers and that pigs on bottom decks may experience greater discomfort during transportation that could contribute to fatigue or the non-ambulatory condition.

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“…Even though enthalpy has been reported in some studies in relation to the quantification of heat stress in pigs during transport (e.g. Dalla Costa et al, 2019;Machado et al, 2021;Miranda-de la Lama et al, 2021), at the present stage, it is considered that too few data are available to be able to give recommendations based on enthalpy. Thus, this Scientific Opinion focuses on the temperature immediately surrounding the pigs and measures of humidity.…”

Section: D) Thermal Heat Indicesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Welfare of pigs during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the animal welfare legislation. The present Opinion deals with protection of pigs during transport. The welfare of pigs during transport by road is the main focus, but other means of transport are also covered. Current practices related to transport of pigs during the different stages (preparation, loading/unloading, transit and journey breaks) are described. Overall, 10 welfare consequences were identified as highly relevant for the welfare of pigs during transport based on the severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A variety of hazards were identified, mainly relating to factors such as mixing of unfamiliar pigs, inappropriate handling methods and devices, the use of pick-up pens, inexperienced/untrained handlers, structural deficiencies of vehicles and facilities, poor driving conditions, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices leading to these welfare consequences. The Opinion contains general and specific conclusions relating to the different stages of transport of pigs. Recommendations to prevent hazards and to correct or mitigate welfare consequences are made. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions and minimum space allowance within means of transport. The development of the welfare consequences over time was assessed in relation to maximum journey duration. The Opinion covers specific animal transport scenarios identified by the European Commission relating to transport of cull sows and 'special health status animals', and lists welfare concerns associated with these.

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Trailer Heat Zones and Their Relation to Heat Stress in Pig Transport

Cited by 8 publications

References 38 publications

Thermoregulation mechanisms and perspectives for validating thermal windows in pigs with hypothermia and hyperthermia: An overview

Thermoregulation mechanisms and perspectives for validating thermal windows in pigs with hypothermia and hyperthermia: An overview

Commercial straight-deck trailer vibration and microclimate conditions during market-weight pig transport during summer

Welfare of pigs during transport

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